On Sunday, October 27th, I went to be the official photographer for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Purple Light event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on the steps of the state capitol building. I had recently had surgery and was not able to do much of what I normally would do but I had people drive me to and from the event and someone was my assistant, carrying all my gear and setting up my camera onto a tripod since I was not able to hold it up at the time. I donated my photography to the cause which is near and dear to my heart after I lost my emergency room physician father because of pancreatic cancer in January 2006 (when he was just 57 and I was just 24). This was my third event to photograph and be a part of for the organization - I photographed a walk in Philadelphia in November 2012 (I was living there during the week while working as a photographer on a military base) and then meeting on Capital Hill in Washington, D.C. (in June 2012) to tell the story of the death of both of my parents to my senators and congressional representatives asking for more pancreatic cancer research funding. Purple Light was a gathering of loved ones who all light an actual purple light in honor of their loved ones who either have beaten or passed away from fighting pancreatic cancer. It was so moving for all of us to be standing there, listening to all of our loved ones names being read and lighting the lights. The first two photos are of the beautiful Capitol building. I love Pennsylvania's Capitol. I have seen more than a dozen state capitol buildings but Pennsylvania's is my favorite because of the lime green tiled rotunda. It's so unique!
The next photos are of the sign in table.
The night's organizers - who also have lost
loved ones to the disease.
This little girl was there to honor her grandmother who
passed away from the disease.
It was so nice to make new friends and share the stories of
our loved ones with so many who all truly understand
what we have all been through collectively.
One of the main speakers telling the story of her loved one.
Reading the names of all those who have
fought pancreatic cancer.
Just some of those on the steps of the
Capitol holding their purple lights.
I hope that one day we will find a cure for cancer. I have had 3 loved ones fight cancer - my father and two of his younger siblings. My Uncle Mike passed away from kidney cancer in 2006 and my Aunt Debbie is currently fighting Stage IV breast cancer. All 7 of my paternal cousins know what it is like to have a parent with cancer.
